Diners support County Library

Continuing their Dine Out for Friends program, the Friends of Monroe County Public Library collected donations from customers Tuesday at Uptown Cafe, which will help support the library’s programs and services.

The Friends of the Library advocates the mission, vision and values of the Monroe County Public Library, in addition to supporting library collections, services, programs and staff development, according to the Monroe County Public Library’s fall
newsletter.

The Friends of the Library board created the Dine Out for Friends program in June 2010.

The  program selects a local restaurant every few months and provides a flyer for customers to present with their bills.

Depending on the restaurant, between 10 and 25 percent of a customer’s bill is donated to the library at no extra cost.

Uptown Cafe collected 10 percent from the bills of customers who chose to participate Tuesday.

Uptown Cafe Manager Juliet Smith said in addition to helping support the library, the Friends of the Library’s fundraising tactics also help bring in business.

“Our restaurant is almost 40 years old,” Smith said. “A lot of people in town know about us already, so this also helps promote us.”

Smith said 1 in 3 customers typically present a flyer with their bills.

Besides Uptown Cafe, other establishments that have contributed to the program include the Village Deli, Nadia’s Bistro and Noodles & Company. To date, more than $4,000 has been donated to the library.

Mary Jean Regoli, secretary of the Friends of the Library board, said the money from Uptown Cafe, along with other restaurants, supports all of the library’s programming.

There are special programs for children, teens and adults.Programs also exist for summer reading, adult reading and literacy.

Regoli said the Dine Out for Friends program has drawn in anywhere from $100 to $250 each time, depending on the restaurant and its popularity.

“Now that people know about it, they make plans to get together and say, ‘Hey, if we’re going to eat out this week, let’s make it on Dine Out for Friends day,’” Regoli said.

The library selects most of the program’s restaurants.Regoli said recent additions to the list of businesses this year were Smokin’ Jack’s Rib Shack and Bobby’s Colorado Steak House. The proceeds from the two restaurants have combined to make the program’s biggest contribution of more than $725.

The Friends of the Library’s next Dine Out for Friends date is slated for Oct. 23, at both Bucceto’s restaurants in Bloomington
 
During this Dine Out for Friends event, customers will have the opportunity to donate 20 percent of their bill.

“The Friends of the Library have been doing very well with the program this year,” Regoli said. “It’s a great and easy way for people to get involved with the library.”

Follow reporter Brett Frieman on Twitter @brttfrmn.